JUE 28 DE MARZO DE 2024 - 20:31hs.
After US Supreme Court decision

Paddy Power Betfair close to acquiring fantasy sports site FanDuel

Multiple sources indicated to Legal Sports Report that Paddy Power Betfair (PPB) is close to acquiring daily fantasy sports site FanDuel. The news comes as the US Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on single-game wagering. Details of the acquisition are unknown, but it is understood the value of the deal is below the US$1bn at which FanDuel was once valued.

It’s possible that decision triggered an escalation in talks that were already underway. FanDuel CEO Matt King recently indicated that his company would be interested in getting into the sports betting space.

LSR has not determined if the deal has been consummated yet, or when it might be. Such clarification is not likely until a deal is actually announced by the two companies.

Details of the acquisition and the price PPB is offering are also unknown, but it appears likely to be below the US$1 billion valuation that FanDuel once enjoyed. Competitor DraftKings will obviously be very interested in what the price will be. It would seem that the possibility of a reverse merger with a special purpose acquisition company reported earlier this year is now on the back burner.

Almost exactly a year ago, PPB acquired daily fantasy sports platform Draft for a deal that could be worth nearly $50 million.

Since then, it has dedicated tens of millions in marketing costs, assumed to be in part setting up PPB for entry into a potential regulated sports betting market in the US.

PPB already has an NJ online casino via its Betfair Casino brand and is clearly getting ready for sports betting there. PPB also owns TVG, an online horse betting site.

What’s in it for PPB?

Some possible reasons for the acquisition:

FanDuel would offer a database of millions of DFS players — some active, some not — that would seemingly be primed for conversion to a sports betting platform. PPB already has users from both TVG and Draft, but FanDuel offers a different demographic than the former and a larger base than the latter.

It gives PPB another method for acquisition of potential bettors in states that may legalize wagering in the near future via sports betting bills, or has already passed laws.

FanDuel is a brand with more recognition in the US than PPB, a largely European-facing company, currently enjoys with any of its current brands.
 

Source: Legal Sports Report